Ramakanta Biswas

Bhubaneswar: The deep depression over eastcentral and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal has moved northwards with a speed of 5 kmph and intensified into a cyclonic storm ‘Bulbul’, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Thursday.

According to the latest observations, the cyclonic storm lay centred over the Bay of Bengal about 770 km south-southeast of Paradip (Odisha), 850 km south-southeast of Sagar Island (West Bengal).

It is very likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm during the next 24 hours and into a very severe cyclonic storm during the subsequent 36 hours. It is very likely to move north-northwestwards towards West Bengal and Bangladesh coasts, the Met department said.

Under its influence, light rainfall is likely to occur at isolated places over Balasore, Bhadrak, Mayurbhanj, Kandhamal, Gajapati and Rayagada districts today while dry weather is likely to prevail over the remaining districts.

Similarly, coastal districts are likely to witness light to moderate rainfall under the influence of the cyclonic storm on Friday. Light to moderate rain is also very likely to occur at isolated places over the districts of coastal Odisha, Mayurbhanj and Dhenkanal on Saturday while dry weather is likely to prevail over the remaining parts of the State.

Besides, the weather department also predicted light to moderate rainfall for several districts in Odisha on November 10 and 11. The sea condition will be high and fishermen have been asked not to venture into the sea along and off Odisha coast from November 8 onwards till further notice.

“As per the latest forecast of the IMD, the impending cyclonic storm ‘Bulbul’ will not hit Odisha Coast as it is moving towards West Bengal and Bangladesh coasts,” said special relief commissioner (SRC) Pradeep Jena at a press meet today.

Speaking about the movement of the cyclonic storm and its distance from Odisha coast, Jena said, “The expected distance of the cyclone from Paradip coast on the evening of November 9 will be 138 kms, from Gopalpur coast 347 kms and from Dhamra coast 149 kms on November 10.”

“As the north coastal districts will experience light to moderate rainfall on November 9 and 10 under the influence of the cyclone, the advisory issued earlier for farmers and fishermen will remain in place,” he added.

scrollToTop